20 April 2024 , 16:44
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Early Scottish Grand National mishaps for Willie Mullins were quickly forgotten as Macdermott delivered a thrilling victory.
The 18-1 market drifter just held on from Surrey Quest in a photo finish to scoop £112,540 for his Irish trainer and connections. Macdermott's nose success gives Mullins, who celebrated a stunning 4,462-1 four-timer at Ayr, a huge advantage in the British trainers' championship with a week to go.
But the ending of the four-mile race was in stark contrast to its beginning when Mr Incredible, his shortest-priced contender at 7-1, pulled himself up before taking any of the jumps. Then We'llhavewan, another of Mullins' six-strong team, unseated 5lb claimer Kieran Callaghan at the first obstacle.
That left four to try and complete a marathon distance, with Paul Townend's pick Spanish Harlem the yard's leading contender on betting odds. However, he could only manage sixth as Macdermott overcame a final fence-jumping blemish to see out every yard under a strong Danny Mullins drive.
His uncle Willie is now poised to become the first Irish handler for 70 years to win the British title, holding a lead of more than £160,000 over Dan Skelton going into the final week – and bookmakers William Hill have suspended betting on it.
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"We've a bit to go yet and there's still a good bit of prize money (to win) but we're in pole position and it looks very good," said Mullins, who also struck with Sharjah (7-1), Chosen Witness (16-1) and Quai De Bourbon (8-11f) at the Scottish circuit.
Macdermott (left) and Surrey Quest crossed the line together (PA)Macdermott's tough performance delighted his backers on the next weekend after Mullins' Grand National triumph – worth £500,000 – with I Am Maximus at Aintree.
Up in Scotland, stablemates Klarc Kent (50-1), Ontheropes (66-1) and Spanish Harlem (12-1) were fourth, fifth and sixth in the Coral-sponsored feature. "That was magic," said Danny Mullins. "An unexposed Willie Mullins novice in a staying handicap chase is what you want to be on. He has his jumping issues and we ended up on the deck one day at Limerick and even the fall that day has really taught him to be efficient.
The photo finish between Macdermott and Surrey Quest (RaceTechUK)"We went forward after jumping the fourth and third last and he was good and tough when I needed him off the back of the last. I'd say the title is far from over, the Skeltons are true battlers and they'll be coming at us all next week."
Skelton's runner Ballygrifincottage was in contention up the straight but faded to finish seventh. Jamie Snowden's 8-1 chance Git Maker did best of the leading fancies in third.